PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esmael Alabdullah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Michalczewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alabdullah comes to the cage accompanied by Price Tag. Alabdullah is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. The key to victory for Esmael Alabdullah has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Alabdullah
vs
Michalczewski

190 cm
19
250 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

197 cm
22
234 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Esmael Alabdullah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michal Michalczewski!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Michalczewski scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Alabdullah is breathing heavily.

Michalczewski stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Michalczewski decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Michalczewski escapes and gets back to his feet.

Michalczewski closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Michalczewski lands in his opponent's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Michalczewski gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Michalczewski has taken the fight to the clinch.

Michalczewski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Michalczewski decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Michalczewski decides to stand and escape the position.
Michalczewski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alabdullah swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Michalczewski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Michalczewski tries a knee to the head but Alabdullah blocks it.

Michalczewski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Michalczewski closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Alabdullah quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michalczewski decides to stand up.

Alabdullah fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Michalczewski, pushing him back against the cage.
Michalczewski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alabdullah has him pressed against the cage.

Alabdullah jumps guard and drags Michalczewski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Michalczewski gets to his feet. Alabdullah looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Alabdullah throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Michalczewski tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Alabdullah is in Michalczewski's guard.

Michalczewski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alabdullah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Michalczewski has his hands on Alabdullah's head, controlling the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Michalczewski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Alabdullah is looking to stand up but Michalczewski won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michalczewski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Michalczewski keeping moving, preventing Alabdullah from controlling successfully.

Michalczewski working for a triangle but Alabdullah defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michalczewski is pulling down on Alabdullah's head. It's preventing any offense from Alabdullah, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michalczewski is looking to stand up but Alabdullah isn't so interested in that idea.
Michalczewski is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Michalczewski has his takedown stuffed
and Alabdullah counters with a stiff right hand.

Alabdullah gets tackled into the cage by Michalczewski. Michalczewski maintains the clinch.

Alabdullah gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Alabdullah is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alabdullah is trying to control. Michalczewski wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Alabdullah is looking to pass Michalczewski's guard but actually Michalczewski recovers to full guard.
Michalczewski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alabdullah trying to control but Michalczewski is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Michalczewski dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Michalczewski scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Michalczewski decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Michalczewski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Alabdullah tries to avoid it but Michalczewski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Alabdullah to the ground. Alabdullah escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Alabdullah. No joy for Michalczewski on that attempt.

Alabdullah forces Michalczewski back against the cage and clinches.

Michalczewski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alabdullah rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Michalczewski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Michalczewski looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Alabdullah will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Alabdullah is working an open guard so Michalczewski takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Alabdullah gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Michalczewski to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Michalczewski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michalczewski shoots in for a takedown but Alabdullah shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Esmael Alabdullah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michal Michalczewski.
Michalczewski shoots and misses

and Alabdullah decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Michalczewski's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Michalczewski controlling the position.
Michalczewski throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Alabdullah trying to control but Michalczewski is working from the bottom.
Michalczewski working a defensive guard here.
Alabdullah trying to control but Michalczewski is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Esmael Alabdullah wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Michalczewski shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alabdullah as he jumps to the side.

Michalczewski pushes Alabdullah up against the cage in a clinch.
Alabdullah is trying to force a seperation but Michalczewski has the dominant position.
Michalczewski tries to circle away but Alabdullah has him pinned against the cage.
Michalczewski tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Michalczewski is looking to break free of the clinch but Alabdullah has double underhooks.
Michalczewski throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alabdullah blocks it with crossed arms.

Alabdullah pulls guard effortlessly.
Alabdullah wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Michalczewski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Alabdullah with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michalczewski shoots in for a double leg but Alabdullah sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Michalczewski doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Alabdullah counters by clinching up.
Michalczewski wants to break free but Alabdullah has control.
Michalczewski is trying to force a seperation but Alabdullah has the dominant position.
Michalczewski working hard to break the clinch.

Michalczewski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Michalczewski gets caught flat footed, as Alabdullah shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Michalczewski keeping full guard, as Alabdullah tries to pass.
Alabdullah wants to control from the top but Michalczewski keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alabdullah is really struggling to control Michalczewski but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Esmael Alabdullah wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Alabdullah slaps away a takedown attempt from Michalczewski, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Michalczewski tries for a takedown but Alabdullah circles away easily
and Alabdullah counters with a body kick.
Alabdullah throws a head kick but Michalczewski moves out of range.
Michalczewski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Michalczewski shoots and misses

and Alabdullah counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Michalczewski trying to control but Alabdullah postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Esmael Alabdullah will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Michalczewski shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Alabdullah counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Michalczewski thinking.

Michalczewski looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Michalczewski stands and steps away. Alabdullah gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Michalczewski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Alabdullah counters with a shoot takedown. Michalczewski fights it but they end up in guard.

Michalczewski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alabdullah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Michalczewski has Alabdullah pulled in close to control his posture.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alabdullah trying to control the position from guard on top but Michalczewski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michalczewski trying to keep a closed guard but Alabdullah is proving a slippery customer.
Michalczewski is controlling Alabdullah's posture.

Michalczewski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Alabdullah tries to free his leg and advance position but Michalczewski is retaining full guard.

Michalczewski is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alabdullah defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Michalczewski pushes Alabdullah off and gets back to his feet.

Michalczewski tries to sprawl but Alabdullah drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Alabdullah seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Alabdullah is trying to control. Michalczewski wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Alabdullah tries to stand but can't do so whilst Michalczewski controls his leg.
Michalczewski is holding on to half guard well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michalczewski wants to get back to full guard.
Michalczewski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Michalczewski is trying to maintain the position but Alabdullah is very close to passing his half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Michalczewski doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Alabdullah counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Esmael Alabdullah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michal Michalczewski.

Alabdullah has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Michalczewski clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Michalczewski is trying to get back to his feet but Alabdullah has full control of the position and if anything, Michalczewski has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Alabdullah not allowing Michalczewski to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michalczewski trying to get back to his feet but Alabdullah is in full control for now.
Alabdullah throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Michalczewski rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Michalczewski is trying to control but can't.
Michalczewski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alabdullah.
Alabdullah is thwarting Michalczewski's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esmael Alabdullah showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Alabdullah has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Esmael Alabdullah!